Entrance door jamb with guarded striker plate and improved guarded latch face plates for lock-sets



Oct. 15, 1968 F. M. SUSHAN ENTRANCE DOOR JAMB WITH GUARDED STRIKER PLATE AND IMPROVED GUARDED LATCH FACE PLATES FOR LOCK-SETS 5, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

Frank /7. Sasha/1 ATTDHV F. M. SUSHAN Oct. 15, 1968 I 3,405,952 ENTRANCE DOOR JAMB WITH GUARDE'D STRIKER PLATE AND IMPROVED GUABDED LATCH FACE PLATES FOR LOCK-SETS' Filed Dec. 5, 1967 v S Sheets-Sheet 2 I 'IIIINVENTOR Rank /7. Sushan Arm F. M. SUSHAN ENTRANCE DOOR JAMB WITH GUARDED STRIKER PLATE AND IMPROVED GUARDED LATCH FACE PLATES FOR LOCK-SETS Filed Dec. 5, 1967 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIIIIIIIIIIII"IIII I INVENTOR Frank /7. Sasha/7 BY,

Y ja 27- United States Patent 3,405,962 ENTRANCE DOOR JAMB WITH GUARDED STRIKER PLATE AND IMPROVED GUARDED LATCH FACE PLATES FOR LOCK-SETS Frank M. Sushan, 1422 Hayes St., Hollywood, Fla. 33020 Filed Dec. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 688,127 11 Claims. (Cl. 292-346) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure describes various types of door lock guards and door lock guard assemblies for door lock sets having a spring bolt, dead-bolt or both. The lock guards are T-shaped in cross section, having unequal flanges and angles, having several different thicknesses. One flange portion extends across the opening between the door and the door jamb, preventing the insertion of a thin flexible metal or plastic strip or tool between the door and the jamb, to force back the spring bolt, the other portion of such flange extending back over the face of the door. The lock guard may have another flanged portion which extends the T end outwardly of the other side of the door for interlocking into a guarded striker plate.

The invention involves improvements over those described in my prior patent, 3,290,081, wherein I describe various types of door lock guards for preventing unauthorized entry by tampering or jimmying a latched door. The invention is adapted for protecting a door lock against being jimmied open at either one or both sides of any door.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a jimmy-proof, jackapart-proof and break-in-proof entrance door assembly unit comprising an improved door jamb (metal or wood) having an improved guarded striker plate covered by Patent 3,290,081; a standard lockset having an improved latch face plate assembly, mounted on one side of the door, completely surrounding or being made a part of said latch face plate, with said T section extending beyond the other side of the door for the purpose of interlocking in above mentioned improved striker plate, provides protection against tampering or any such equipped door from one or both sides of such doors.

A second object is to provide a latch face plate assembly as described wherein each flange section has thicker and thinner portions as well as different angles and dimensions.

A third object is to provide a door lock guard plate which can serve as a guard for any spring bolt, dead-bolt or mortised type locks, by fitting such plate around such latch face plates of such locks already installed on doors.

A fourth object is to provide a door lock guard which includes an escutcheon plate as an integral part of such door lock guard.

, A fifth object is to provide a door lock guard mountable on a door lock and adapted for cooperation with various sizes of guarded striker plates mounted on a door jamb.

A sixth object is to provide a one piece door lock guard which can be made by extrusion or forging on mass production metal working machinery.

A seventh object is to provide a door lock guard which can be installed easily and quickly by means of simple home tools.

- In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the door lock guard according to a preferred form of the invention, and shown mounted on a door.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of a door and jamb including the lock guard of FIG. 1 and a strike plate shown mounted on an improved door jamb.

FIG. 3 is a reduced latch face plate elevational view of the door lock guard of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views, respectively, of two modified door lock guards.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, of a door and jamb assembly and showing a different form of strike plate.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the strike plate of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another strike plate similar to FIG. 8, but without a channel portion.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still another form of strike plate.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an interlocking latch face plate adapted for use with the striker plate of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of another form of an interlocking latch face plate with a larger plate to enclose in the present lockset latch face plates, and adapted for use with a striker plate shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a cross section of interlocking latch face plate taken on line 1313 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of still another form of an interlocking latch face plate.

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of still another form of a latch face plate or mortised locks having both a spring bolt and a dead-bolt in same face plate, and mounted on a door, showing extension for brazing onto present latch face plates to provide interlocking features for use with striker plate of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 15 taken on line 16-16.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an integral form of a door lock guard in combination with an escutcheon plate and latch face plate.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken on lines 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view of a further form of latch face plate for mortised locks having different length latch face plates to be used with metal door jambs.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken on lines 2020 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a horizontal sectional view of an improved metal door jamb similar to the jamb portion shown in FIG. 7, taken on the line 2121 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 22 is an elevational view of FIG. 21, taken on line 2222 thereof.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a door lock guard 20A in the form of an extruded T shaped metal molding. The guard is formed with a flange 25 which has a wider and thicker portion 26 and a narrower and thinner portion 28. The thicker portion 26 is at least one half as wide as flange 25. Face 30 of the flange 25 is fiat. The guard is formed with another flange 32 which has a thicker portion 34 and a thinner portion 35. The thicker portion 34 is wider than thinner portion 35. Flanges 25 and 32 are angularly disposed to each other. The flat face 30 of flange 26 is disposed at an acute angle A of not more than 87 to the fiat face 36 of flange portion 34. Flat faces 38 and 40 of flange portions 26, 28, are parallel to face 30 but offset from each other by a narrow shoulder or step 42. Face 28 is disposed at an angle B to face 44 of flange portion 35. This angle is not less than 93. The outer face 46 of fiange 32 is flat and parallel to both faces 36 and 44. An aperture 48 is provided in flange 25 through which spring latch bolt 50 of the door lock can extend and move freely. Counter- 3 sunk holes 52 in flange 25 receive screws 54 by. means of which the lock guard is secured to the free end of door 55. The door is provided with a shallow recess 56 in which the flange 25 is set. This recess has a depth equal to the thickness of thinner flange portion 35. Thus, part of the thicker flange portion 34, extends outwardly of the end face 58 of the door as clearly shown in FIG. 1. A free end portion P of flange 25 extends beyond side 59 of the door. Face 36 of flange portion 34 abuts the other side 60 of the door. The width of the door is less than the width of flange 25. By the angular arrangement of flange 25 to flange 32, the guard A can be snugly fitted to end face 58 and side 60 of the door. Face 58 and side 60 will also be disposed to each other at an angle of about 87 or less. This angular arrangement of faces of the door and lock guard make it easier for the door to enter and leave the door jamb 70 when the door is being closed and opened.

1 Door jamb 70 has a stop rail 72 at one side. This rail is formed with a groove 74 in which fits channel 73 of a guard and striker plate 75. The guard and striker plate has a structure similar to one described in my prior patent, 3,290,081. A shallow reclined recess 76 formed in the side of jamb 70 receives side wall 77 of plate 75. Wall 77 serves as a striker plate, and when installed extends at an angle. The groove 74 receives edge P of flange projecting beyond the side 59 of angle A of the lock guard door 55 as clearly 'shown in FIG. 2. This prevents the insertion of a thin tool or flexible strip between the stop and door so that latch bolt 50 cannot be pushed inwardly of the door lock 80. Furthermore, the lateral extension of flange portion across the opening between side wall 77 of plate 75 and the flange 25 prevents insertion of a tool or flexible strip in this opening. By this means, the lock is protected against being opened in an unauthorized manner.

The assembly of lock guard 20A and plate 75 can be installed in adoor between two rooms or oflices. Keys 82, 84, may be provided for the door knobs 83, 85, respectively. These keys, 82, 84, respectively open door from the adjacent room at either side of the door 66, that is, each entrance key to the room is the same asconnecting door key. The assembly described makes it possible to protect both sides of a single door against tampering. This makes it possible to avoid installation of two doors, each protected against tampering on only one side.

Lock guard 20A is particularly well adapted for use by lock manufacturers for use as face plates in original lock assemblies. If a lock guard is required to be installed by a locksmith in an existing door, the lock guard 20B of FIG. 6 can be used. Lock guard 20B is generally similar to lock guard 20A and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Instead of the small opening 48 of lock guard 20A, there is provided a larger rectangular opening 48b in flange 25b of lock guard 20B. This larger opening will receive the latch face plate of a conventional lock so that the lock need not be changed in structure in any way to install lock guard 20B. Of course, the locksmith will have to cut a recess such as recess 56 shown in FIG. 1 toreceive flange 25b.

In FIG. 6, shows, another lock guard 20C which is similar to lock guards 20A and 20B and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Flange 250 of lock guard 20C is formed with aligned, longitudinal groove 86 formed along right angles at 420 along the thicker flange portions 260. These grooves will prevent an intruder from working a tool or flexible strip toward the bolt of the door lock from above or below the latch bolt.

FIG. 7 shows a lock guard assembly which is similar to that of FIG. 2 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Flange 25d of lock guard 20D has a tapered flange portion 26d whose lateral face 38 parallels the facing side wall 77 of striker plate 75A and provides for close fitting of the guard upon the plate. This structure is desirable where the clearance between the wall 77 and 4 adjacent flange of the lock guard is very small, to. permit the door to open freely. 7

FIGS. 7 and 8 show how striker plate 75A and guard plate 32a which can be used instead of plate 75, shown in FIG. 2. Plate 75A has a tongue 90 with curved, end. 92 which serves as a guide for spring bolt 50 of the lock. Opening 93in wall 77a receives the spring bolt of the lock. The associated lock guard 320 shown in FIG. 7 will be generally similar to lock guards 20A to 20C, except that the thin flange portion 35a will benarrower in width than flange 25 of the other lock guards. The flange portion 35a of flange 32a will he made just wide enough to reach tongue 90 to prevent insertion of a tool or flexible strip between tongue 90 and the cdge'of flange portion 35e. Thus, the lock cannot be tampered with from the outer side 60 of the door. Holes 89 in wall 77a re.- ceive mounting screws for the striker plate 75A. FIG. 9 is a similar view to FIG. 8 showing the striker plate without the channel portion 73. This is a replacement striker plate for the old standard striker plates which maybe used with the grooved lock guard 20C shown in FIG. 6 to provide greater security against breaking-in. FIG. 10 shows a lock guard and striker plate 75B which can be used in association with-a door lock having both a spring bolt and a dead-lock bolt. The spring bolt will extend through lower opening 91 in side wall 771) of plate 75B while the dead lock bolt will extend through upper opening 94. Tongue 92a is wider than tongue 92 of plate 75A. Narrow score lines 91a and 94a are provided on opposite sides of openings 91 and 94 respectively to permit the unit to be reversed for a right or left handed swinging door in order to facilitate the free entry of the dead bolt portion of the mortised lock, by breaking off the scored off area of the desired side position.

FIG. 11 shows interlocking latch face plate or lock guard having a small hole 48 to receive the bolt of the lock. Edge P of this lock guard extends beyond the side of the door as flange 25 at -P shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This latch face plate will be provided as original equipment by lock manufacturers and replace present latch face plates heretofore provided. 7

FIG. 12, 20] and FIG. 14, 20G are flat rectangular plates with cuto cuts 98 to receive standard present latch face plates on doors allready installed. Edge P of these lock guards project beyond the side of the doors for interlocking into channels in FIGS. 8 and 10 to prevent tampering as described in connection with lock guard 20A, FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 12, and 13 show a lock guard 20] which can be installed on a .door, having an existing lock. This lock guard is a generally retangular plate 109 with a beveled edge 110 which will extend laterally beyond edge of door 55" to prevent tampering withthe spring bolt on latch 111. The large rectangular opening 112 in the lock guard will receive and surround the face plate 114 of the lock bolt. Holes 52' receive screws for mounting the lock guard to the door.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown a lock guard assembly 201 which can be made by joining edge 101 of a straight rectangular bar 102 to edge 105 of face plate 106 of a door lock 80" by welding 104. This lock has both a spring bolt 50 and a dead-bolt lock 108. Flange 28 is thinner than flange 26' of the lock guard plate .102. and will extend laterally of the door in a manner similar to flange portion 28 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The bar 102 will prevent tampering with the spring bolt when the door 55 is closed. The addition of bar 102 to latch face plate 10A of .mortised locks by lock manufacturers provides added security. The addition of this bar makes the need to use the outside. key to lock the lock from outside unnecessary. This unit is used together with either'77A or 77B of FIGURES 8 and 10. These will replace the conventional latch face plates and striker plates heretofore provided.

In'FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown a lock guard assembly 20H which is generally similar to lock guard 20A and 20B and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In assembly 20H, the thicker portion 34h of flange 32h is extended to serve as an escutcheon plate for the lock 80, This plate replaces the escutcheon plate generally provided. This structure provides increased security for the door 55a and simplifies installation of the door lock and door guard, It can be provided as original or accessory equipment for the door locks. Flanged opening 99 in the escutcheon plate receives the handle bar 100 of the lock.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a lock guard 20K as an interlocking door latch face plate for use on mortised locks having a smaller latch face plate than shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, which can be fitted around to latch face plate and to provide jimmying protection when used with FIGS. 8 and 10, and also used where metal door frames and door stops are used. This lock guard also elminates the need to lock a mortised lock from the outside to provide security. This lock guard is a flat plate 115 with a rectangular cutout 116 extending inwardly from one edge 117. The other edge 118 of the lock guard has an extension 120 which is beveled at its free edge 121. Extension 120 will serve to prevent tampering with the lock in the same manner as described above. Holes 52" receive screws for mounting the lock guard to a door.

In FIGS. 21 and 22, there is shown a metal door jamb 130 similar in shape to the wood jamb shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with inclined face 131 adapted to parallel the face of the plate and in which the edges P and P' provided upon the latch plate, upon the door will enter a struck slot 132 in the rear of the jamb. The need for a striker plate of metal is accordingly eliminated by the provision of this metal jamb thereby providing a complete security door lock and guard assembly. The latch bolt can ride over the inclined face 131.

The several forms of the invention can be manufactured at low cost and high speed by mass production metal working machinery. The lock guards are easy to install and will provide long, useful, trouble-free service. They do not interfere with normal operation of the locks in any way, nor in opening and closing the doors. They will fit onto all key-in-knob or dead-bolt locks.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A door lock guard assembly for use on a hinged door having a lock with a retractable spring bolt engageable in a door jamb by extending out of a free end face of the door, said assembly comprising a guard plate attachable to said end face of the door and having a marginal portion extending beyond one side of the door to prevent insertion of a flexible tool strip around said marginal portion and into an opening between said end face and a striker plate on the jamb, said guard plate comprising two flanges integrally joined to each other at the intersection of the opposite side of the door and end face and disposed at an angle of not more than 87 relative to each other, for snugly engaging on the door when said end face is disposed at the same angle to the side of the door.

2. A door lock guard assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein each flange has thicker and thinner portions, the thicker portions of the flanges respectively abutting the end face and other side of the door, the thinner portion of one flange having said marginal portion extending beyond said one side of the door and being thinner to facilitate clearing the opening between the end face of the door and door jamb, the thinner portion of the other flange extending across said opening between the door and jamb, the thicker portions of the flanges being wider than the thinner portions respectively.

3. A door lock guard assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the thicker portion of said one flange is tapered between the opposite sides to facilitate opening and closing of the door.

4. A door guard assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the thicker portion of said one flange has grooves extending along said one flange to prevent a thin flexible tool inserted into the opening between door and door jamb from reaching said spring bolt.

5. A door guard assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said one flange is disposed at an angle of not less than 93 to the thinner portion of the other flanges to clear the door jamb when the door is being opened and closed.

6. A door guard assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the one flange has an opening just large enough to receive the spring bolt so that the one flange serves as a face plate for the lock.

7. A door guard assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said lock is a mortise lock with a face plate at said end face of the door, said one flange having a rectangular opening large enough to receive and surround the face plate of the lock.

8. A door lock assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the wider portion of said other flange is extended sufliciently to serve as an escutcheon plate for the lock, said wider portion of the other flange having a flanged opening to receive the handle bar of the lock.

9. A door lock assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising another plate fixed to the door jamb to serve as a strike plate for the spring bolt, said other plate having an aperture to permit passage therethrough of said spring bolt, said other plate being formed along one of its edges with a channel which is recessed into the jamb and is covered and concealed from view and rendered inaccessible from outside of the door by being mounted in the recess, said marginal portion of the one flange extending into said channel when the door is closed.

10. A door lock guard assembly as recited in claim 1, and a striker plate fixed to the door jamb with its face paralleling the face of the flange of the guard plate extending over the end face of the door.

11. A door lock guard assembly as recited in claim 1, and a metal door providing a jamb inclined to parallel the flange portion of the guard plate extending over the end face of the door, and the rear of said metal jamb face being slotted to receive the rear edge of the lock plate when the door is closed, the rear edge of said lock plate extending beyond the face of the door.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,091,453 3/1914 Fletcher -418 2,454,904 11/1948 Wylie 292346 3,290,081 12/1966 Sushan 292346 FOREIGN PATENTS 3 08,055 3 1929 Great Britain.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner. 

